WCUB 92.1 AM Radio to Host Authors Barbara Techel & Mary Shafer

Posted by Barbara Techel
Join me and Mary Shafer On Tuesday, June 15th at 9:30am Central Daylight Time, authors, Barbara Techel and Mary Shafer will be live on WCUB 92.1 am radio (Manitowoc, Wisconsin) discussing all the rewards of disabled pets.

Barbara Techel is the author of the multi-award-winning Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog book series. When her dachshund, Frankie, suffered a spinal injury, Techel had her custom-fitted for a wheelchair. Frankie’s strong spirit had her back into the swing of life very soon, and Techel realized the beautiful opportunity she had to share Frankie’s story. Together, they give others who may be struggling with obstacles the hope and inspiration to be the best they can be. Techel’s newest book, Frankie, the Walk ’N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House, chronicles the twosome’s work as a therapy dog team at local hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice centers, spreading joy wherever they go.

Mary Shafer is a freelance writer, author and publisher of Word Forge Books, a small, independent publisher located near Philadelphia. She’s a member of the Cat Writers Association and is co-mom to four special needs cats. One of those cats, Idgie, is the subject of Shafer’s story in the company’s latest book, Almost Perfect: Disabled Pets and the People Who Love Them.

Join us for what is sure to be an inspirational time discussing special needs pets.

Using Skype in Classrooms

Posted by Barbara Techel

Skype visit with students in western Canada

Having just finished up a Skype visit with Firefighter Dayna Hilton and her dog, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog with a school in western canada, I wanted to share the experience because there are so many wonderful benefits.  This particular Skype visit was done at my home in Wisconsin so Dayna and I and the dogs were together for this session.  Future visits will have us using Skype from our own homes and hope to set up a 3-way Skype visit with classrooms across the US.  Having done Skype visits with Frankie before, I will continue to offer our presentation as well on a separate basis.

Karen Keys is the Digital Digital Literacy Teacher in western Canada. She involved her 4th grade students in the whole process so they could understand and learn about technology.  She had them as co-hosts of the special event, which I thought was a way for them to feel important, and helpful.  They were able to learn how Skype works in setting it up, being available during the call, and then signing off.

The co-hosts, which were four students, each welcomed us with a special message before we did our presentation.  Dayna and I then shared the fire safety message with them, along with helping those with special needs to make sure they have a plan to get out safe.  Interacting with the students via Skype helps them be a part of the presentation.  Dayna had two fire safety songs which we had the kids sing with us.

Karen also arranged for a fireman to be in the classroom during our presentation.  He stayed once we signed off of Skype to further educate the kids about fire safety.

There were select students who prepared questions ahead of time. Each approached the webcam one by one to ask their question after our presentation.  What a wonderful way for them to get comfortable with being on Skype, as well as conversing with authors!

After the questions were answered the co-hosts each had a thank you message for us before we signed off.  I was so impressed with how Karen involved her students with the whole process of using Skype.  So many valuable lessons in using technology, to meeting authors, to learning to be safe, to learning to stay positive, and helping others with special needs.

In a follow up to Karen to find out her thoughts about the experience she had this to say, “The Frankie and Sparkles buzz was everywhere at lunch! I got a great response from the teachers involved who thought it was a wonderful presentation! The kids LOVED IT!! My principal was very impressed with the whole event and so was Matthew the Fireman…. he couldn’t wait to go back to the firehall to tell all the other firemen about it.”

For me personally, I think using the internet and Skype is a win-win situation for all involved.  As we continue to face economic challenges it helps us to look for creative ways in which we can still reach out to others with our messages.  The ultimate winners in this case are the children.  Technology is our future, so what better way for kids to learn?  And they benefit from also learning positive and inspirational messages which instills in them that they can do anything they set their minds to do.

For further information on a Skype visit with Frankie or Frankie and Sparkles please feel free to visit my website or Frankie and Sparkles blog. Special pages on my website are set up for teachers and librarians to learn more about a Skype visit.

Related Links:

Dayna Hilton (Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog) talking about the experience on Firehouse.com

USA Today article on Sparkles and Frankie visiting via Skype with school in Canada

Frankie and Sparkles Skyping for the first time!

Frankie & Sparkles Big Adventure Re-Cap

Posted by Barbara Techel

Note:  Please be sure to read all the way to the end and see great photos of our adventure!  Also USA Today shared our story on their blog today!!

Frankie and Sparkles~ Two Dog’s Rollin’

April 8th and 9th, 2010 were no ordinary days for two dogs known for inspiring others. Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, along with her owner Firefighter Dayna Hilton, made the almost 900 mile trek from Clarksville, Arkansas, to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, to meet Frankie the Walk ‘n Roll Dog and her owner, Barbara Techel, in person (and “dog”) to work on some very special projects.

Frankie, a dachshund, suffered a debilitating spinal injury and now walks with the aid of a doggie wheelchair. For the past two years, Frankie has helped children of all ages realize that their challenges can be overcome by having a positive attitude, and that despite these challenges, they can be a contributing member of society in their own unique way.

Sparkles, a Dalmatian, has a unique story of her own. Rescued from a home with 62 other dogs in 2002, Sparkles now travels across the country with Hilton, educating children and their caregivers about fire safety.  To date, this canine educator has been credited with helping save the lives of two children and their two families.

Meeting via Facebook in October 2009, Techel and Hilton first made history in February 2010 when Frankie and Sparkles “met” over Skype during Techel’s and Frankie’s presentation to Clarksville Primary School (https://www.frankieandsparkles.com/2010/02/frankie-and-sparkles-make-history.html).

While in Wisconsin, the four came together for their first presentation in person (and dog) together to elementary students at Elkhart Lake/Glenbeulah Elementary School, sharing the fire safety message and encouraging children to be of service by helping those with special needs.

The four also participated in a Skype visit to an elementary school in western Canada, sharing the importance of fire safety and encouraging children who may have family or friends with physical challenges to help them have a plan, among other fire safety messages, so they and their families and friends can help stay safe from fire. Karen Keys, District Digital Literacy Teacher, and Matthew, a Canadian Firefighter, also assisted with the event.

Of the event, Keys stated, “The Frankie and Sparkles buzz was everywhere at lunch! I got a great response from the teachers involved who thought it was a wonderful presentation! The kids LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My principal was very impressed with the whole event and so was Matthew the Fireman…. he couldn’t wait to go back to the firehall to tell all the other firemen about it.”

Techel stated, “Skyping with Dayna and Sparkles, along with Frankie, to a classroom in western Canada was such a thrill! Because of school budget constraints as well as economic challenges I think Skype is such a win-win situation.  And the ultimate winners are the children who were able to learn about fire safety from Sparkles, and being positive and helping others with special needs from Frankie’s message.  Combine that with helping kids learn technology, which is our future, and you create a highly motivational way for kids to grow and thrive.”

This was Hilton and Sparkles first time to participate in a presentation with Frankie and Techel via Skype in person. Hilton stated, “As a fire safety educator, Sparkles and I have participated in hundreds of fire safety presentations over the years. This event was very special in that not only did we share this presentation with our two very good friends, we concentrated our efforts on the importance of sharing the fire safety message with those with special needs. According to the National Fire Protection Association, physical disability was a factor in an average of 360, or 13%, of home fire deaths. Together, we hope to change this unfortunate statistic”

Other activities included a visit to the Elkhart Lake/Town of Rhine Fire District where Firefighters Rob Schmidet and Shane Hughes assisted with Frankie and Sparkles’ upcoming e-books for children.

For more information on Frankie and Sparkles, please visit their blog at https://www.frankieandsparkles.com

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Additional Information:

At 46, children’s book authors Dayna Hilton and Barbara Techel have senior dogs whom they love deeply. Both credit their dogs for helping them find their purpose in life.

Techel, embracing technology, shares Frankie’s story of hope with children around the world via Skype. Hilton recommended Techel’s Frankie program via Skype to Clarksville Primary School in her home state of Arkansas, and the rest, as they say, is history~ literally.

In talking with Hilton one day via phone to thank her for the connection, an idea was hatched. Hilton shared with Techel, “What if Sparkles and Frankie were to meet via Skype?  Imagine how thrilled the children would be to be a part of this!”

As far as the two knew, no two dogs had ever met via Skype and the event would be the first time Techel and Hilton would “meet” as well.  The two were thrilled in knowing that there would be no better way to do this than in front of 500 plus children, elated with glee to witness this historic day.  In addition, the two came to the realization that this would be an exciting way to bring two friends and educators together with their two special dogs to share their inspirational and life-saving messages.

Both will never forget that day. After sharing Frankie’s story, Techel was so proud to introduce Hilton and Sparkles, her friends, whom she adored and admired for their work.  According to Techel, as she watched Hilton and Sparkles via Skype approach the front of the room, her eyes misted over. The moment brought her such joy to see the love that Hilton has for Sparkles and the passion she has for sharing her fire safety message with children (to watch the video of this amazing day, visit https://www.frankieandsparkles.com/2010/02/video-footage-of-frankie-and-sparkles.html).  Hilton felt the exact same way as she watched in admiration the story of Frankie unfold before them and a room full of children.

Both are grateful for each others friendship and encouragement.  Though the two are states away from each other, they feel a connection with each other as they continually inspire each other to be the best that they can be, knowing that they are just a click away on the computer.